Expelled

[Queniia]

The trade ship from Tol Vanima was late. Many merchants of Gobaith were waiting impatient, looking at the sun and making a face; it was already evening.
One of the merchants, Gago Thumbber, a halfling, was waiting patiently to sell his wares, most of them potions, old books and few stocks of herbs. He waited all day, talking to this or that other merchant. But the men didn't pay much attention, all they wanted was to see that ship on the horizon. Usually, when a back was turned to Gago, he just turned and walked to other person. However, after all day, even the talkative halfling was tired.
He went to the edge of the harbour and narrowed his eyes. Nothing. So he sat and pulled the fishing rod from his back and started to fish calmly. Letting the rod be held by his big feet, he took a small box from his bag and took some sibanac herbs out of it. After he smashed the herbs using the fingers of a hand and the palm of the other, he carefully took a well crafted wooden pipe out of the box and allowed the smashed herb to fall from his palm inside it. Using his thumb, he pressed the herbs against the bottom of the pipe hole, then he smiled, happy with his good work.
The merchants behind him grumbled something. Gago lit the pipe and slowly some smoke started to float from it filling the air with a characteristic smell.
The fishing rod pulled. Gago widened his eyes and, holding the pipe with his mouth, he held the rod with both hands and pulled with all his strenght. After all, he was an experienced fisherman, so, after some pulls the fish came. A trout. However, Gago wasn't surprised, he wasn't even staring at it. Something else dragged his attention.
- The ship! - he shouted to everyone.
Yes, the ship finally was appearing on the horizon. The crowd of merchants rounded the port, approaching to the harbour...


When the ship left was already night. Many chests were taken out of it, many goods and spices were traded, copper payed and the day sellings were done.
Gago was happy to have sold all the herb stock and also some potions and books. He was smoking smiling after he counted his copper coins and stuffed them inside his bag. The caravan of merchants was already leaving the place, returning to their home. It was then that Gago noticed on that shadow. It lurked inside the crowd of people and crawled inside the caravan. Mr. Thumbber blinked many times in surprise and scracthed the back of his head.
- Oh, I could swear it was an elf! - he said. - But... where he came from?
Then he turned and stared at the sea. Away from the coast, the elven ship was disappearing between the shadows of the night, floating on the dark water.
Gago looked at the caravan again, but it left and was nowhere to be seen...

On the next day, when Gago went to Troll's Bane to sell his wares, he heard the terrible news: the caravan never reached it's destiny. They were found that morning, all the men were dead and a horse was robbed along with many of the things carried.
Mr. Thumbber, then, inquired if there was a dead elf in the group. The people only shook their heads, walking off, leaving the place with a taste of concern in the air.